Foe steering vessels



(No Model.)

L. BO UGHER.

DRAG FOR STEERING VESSBLS.

No. 508,271! Patented Nov. 7, 1893.

WITNESSES} INVENTOH L OU/S 600C796? A 7TOHNE Y S.

UNITED STATES PATENT -EEioE.

LOUIS BOUGI-IER, OF wEsT SUPERIOR,

l WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF DRAG FOR STEERING \(ES'SELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 508,271, dated November '7, 1893.

Application filed May 11, 1893.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS BOUGHER, of West Superior, in the county of Douglas and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Steering Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved steering apparatus, and is designed to be used only when a ships rudder becomes disabled, thus affording safety to ocean travel, and preventing serious mishaps.

As the device is only used when the rudder or steering apparatus becomes disabled, I construct my apparatus in such a manner, that it may be stowed away in the vessel when not in use, and when needed can be set up in a very short time. I

With these objects in view my invention consists of a drag, a chain connected therewith, and a capstan upon which the ends of the chain are wound to move the drag to one side or the other. Y

My invention consists alsoin certain details of construction and combination of parts all of which will be fully described.

The drawing hereto annexed shows the rear portion of avessel equipped with my improved steering apparatus.

In carrying out my invention I employ an air tight cylindrical drag A, of metal or other suitable material, and at the ends and center of this cylinder are secured the annular flanges or fins a for the purpose of increasing the friction of the drag and rendering its action more positive and rapid. The forward end of the drag is pointed, and connected therewith is a ring a to which is attached a chain B. This chain B, is connected at the forward end to the center of a second chain 0, the ends of which second chain, are passed around the pulleys D, mounted in the outer ends of the beams E, E, which project obliquely forward from each side the vessel near its rear end. The ends of the chain Oafter being passed around the pulleysD are connected, each to a separate single pulley block F, at each side of the vessel and movable back and forth. At each side of the vessel is also secured a double pulley block G, and to each single block F is connected a third chain H, said chain being passed through one pulley Serial No. 473,814:- (No model.)

of the opposite double block G, thence back through the single block and thence back again through the second pulley of the double block.- The chain is then connected to the capstan I, which is journaled longitudinally between the beams E E, and is provided with an ordinary wheel K. It will thus beseen that each single block is connected with the opposite double block and then with the capstan, and it will also be noticed that each double block is fixed, while the single blocks are movable; and that the chains as they pass from the double blocks are wound around the capstan in opposite directions. By this construction and arrangement there is an equality of tension attained, and as one single block is drawn inward the other is allowed to 'move outward, and as the chain 0, is connected with these blocks it will be so drawn around the stern of the vessel that its center will be moved to one side or the other of the center of the boat, and the chain B, which carries the drag A being secured to the center of this chain 0, the drag will be moved to one side or the other and in this way draw more upon one side of the ship than the other and pull the ship in that direction.

In operation, when the ships rudder becomes disabled, the beams are brought out and set in place, the capstan erected and the chain and blocks connected therewith. The chain 0 is then connected, the drag A attached and dropped overboard. being in their proper positions, the drag will swing directly to the rear .of the stern, but should the starboard chain be ,drawn tight the port chain will be loosened, and the drag will be drawn to starboard and pull the ship in that direction.

While I have shown and described the chain B and the extra chain H and blocks they maybe dispensed with if desired, and the chain 0, connected directly to the capstan and have the drag connected directly to the chain O. The chain B, is preferred, however, as it makes the device more positive and the blocks and chains are used to avoid sudden jerks in moving from one side to the other.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'- All the parts 1. The combination of a vessel, the beams secured thereto carrying pulleys at their outer ends, the capstan, the fixed and movable pulley blocks and ropes connecting them with the capstan,the drag chain connected with the movable blocks, and the drag attached to said chain, said drag consisting of a cylindrical body provided with annular flanges or fins, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a steering apparatus a drag composed of a hollow cylinder having annular flanges or fins at its ends and center, a tapered end and a ringin said end substantially as shown and described.

3. In a steering apparatus, the combination of a cylindrical dragA having fins a, the chains B, and C, the beams D, and pulleys E, movable blocks F, the ropes H, and the caps stan to which said ropes are connected, substantially as shown and described.

LOUIS BOUOHER.

Witnesses:

R. E. BUNDY, JOSEPH L. BOUCHER. 

